Identification & Site Information

• Name: Marion Egan

• Former Names: None

• Official Registration Number: 7301

• Date Built and Launched: Built in 1861 by John Squires, Huron, Ohio

• Measurements:

• Length: 134.8 ft (41.1 m)

• Beam: 25 ft (7.6 m)

• Depth: 10 ft 9 in (3.3 m)

• Tonnage (Old Style): 350 28/95 tons

• Capacity: 16,000 bushels

• Date Lost: September 22, 1875

• Place of Loss: 17 miles southeast of Thunder Bay Island, Lake Huron

• Lake: Lake Huron

Vessel Type

The Marion Egan was a two-masted wooden Schooner, commonly used on the Great Lakes for transporting bulk cargo, particularly grain, across the region.

Description

Launched in 1861, the Marion Egan was a sizable Schooner optimized for the grain trade, with a capacity of 16,000 bushels. Like many schooners of the time, her simple, efficient design made her a staple of Great Lakes commerce, capable of navigating the busy and often treacherous waterways of the region. She had one Deck and was constructed from wood, reflecting the standard shipbuilding practices of mid-19th century Great Lakes vessels.

History

Originally owned by Wiley M. Egan of Chicago, Illinois, the Marion Egan made her first trip on May 14, 1861, and was enrolled in Chicago shortly after on May 20. Throughout her career, she was involved in several incidents and underwent multiple ownership changes and repairs, underscoring both the risks of Great Lakes navigation and the resilience of vessels during this period.

• 1862: Sprung her mainmast on Lake Erie.

• 1865: Damaged her Centerboard on Lake Huron, highlighting the vessel’s ongoing exposure to the hazards of lake navigation.

• 1866: Owned by Tyler, Brown & Co., Chicago.

• 1870: Owned by Peter Taylor, Chicago.

In August 1873, the Marion Egan ran aground on Cove Island in Georgian Bay. Declared a wreck, she was sold on September 2, 1873, to John Demass of Detroit, Michigan. After being repaired in Detroit, she returned to the grain trade, running routes to Chicago. By March 30, 1874, she was owned by William Christie of Erie, Pennsylvania.

Collision with Wings of the Morning

In mid-October 1865, the Marion Egan collided with the Schooner Wings of the Morning near Port Colborne, Ontario, on Lake Erie. Both vessels were carrying cargo when the collision occurred, reportedly due to stormy conditions. Following the collision, both ships went ashore. The Wings of the Morning sustained catastrophic damage, breaking her back and becoming a Total Loss. The Marion Egan, while damaged, was able to return to service after repairs.

Final Loss

On September 22, 1875, the Marion Egan met her final fate in Lake Huron when she collided with the Schooner E.R. Williams approximately 17 miles southeast of Thunder Bay Island. The collision caused the Marion Egan to sink, resulting in the loss of two lives. This tragic incident marked the end of the vessel’s 14-year career on the Great Lakes.

Final Disposition

The Marion Egan sank in Lake Huron following a collision with the Schooner E.R. Williams in 1875. No significant salvage operations were recorded, and the wreck remains submerged southeast of Thunder Bay Island.

Located By & Date Found

Nil return.

NOTMARs & Advisories

No specific navigational warnings or obstructions related to the wreck of the Marion Egan have been issued.

Resources & Links

• Great Lakes Maritime Database

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes

• David Swayze Shipwreck File

Conclusion

The Marion Egan had an eventful career on the Great Lakes, marked by multiple incidents, ownership changes, and significant repairs. Despite surviving earlier accidents, including a grounding in Georgian Bay and a collision with the Wings of the Morning, the Schooner ultimately succumbed to another collision in 1875, resulting in the tragic loss of two lives. Her history reflects the dangers and challenges faced by 19th-century mariners navigating the busy and often perilous waters of the Great Lakes.

Suggested Keywords: Marion Egan, Lake Huron shipwrecks, Schooner collisions, Thunder Bay Island shipwrecks, Great Lakes grain trade, E.R. Williams collision.

Categories: Shipwrecks of Lake Huron, 19th Century Maritime Disasters, Wooden Schooners of the Great Lakes.

Glossary Terms: Two-Masted Schooner, Collision at Sea, Thunder Bay Island, Great Lakes Grain Trade, Schooner Grounding.